Wednesday, September 21, 2011

CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO (KRCU) - The Southeast Missouri State University football is coming off a tough loss to Purdue on Saturday. But the Redhawks are looking forward to opening up conference this weekend against Tennessee Tech.

Coach Tony Samuel says the team treated the game against Purdue like an NFL preseason game and used it to get as many different guys on the field as possible.

"Right now we’re just working at identifying who our top two units are and using those people in the upcoming game, we won’t use as many people as we have in the past, you know, so far this season, because at this point it’s a lineman assignment technique," Samuel said. "It’s conference play and, you know, we can’t afford to stub our toe."

Samuel says the Ohio Valley Conference is tougher this year than in past seasons.

"We’ve got to go down there and play in a hostel environment," Samuel said. "I think it’s going to be a crowded stadium, and it could possibly be loud. They’ve already won one game in conference and we’re just opening conference play."

Tennessee Tech will be coming into the game with a 1-0 record in OVC play already this year.

Kickoff for the Redhawks' game at Tennessee Tech is Saturday at 7 p.m.